GAMBLERS' PRETENDED WITCHCRAFT EXPOSED;

A gambler will take a pack of cards, and say to a bystander, "I can tell the card you think of," which would be doubted, yet it can be effected. And for the purpose of preventing such imposition, I will lay down the principles of the trick so plainly, that the detection of the cheat will require no great sagacity or penetration. He will throw upon the table, or give to the dupes, some five or ten cards to examine, of which they are requested to make a selection. They each select one, and then return him the cards, which he takes, and makes a false shuffle, keeping the ones he gave out for selection either at the top or bottom. He then takes them by parcels from the other part of the pack, with the exception of one which he takes from the parcel given for selection, and throws down, say from ten to fifteen of the main body, with one of the selected exposed. Turning them face upwards, he will remark, "When any of you who had the privilege of selecting, discovers the card exposed, please say, 'I see it;'" and when the person selecting discovers the card he selected, he says, "I see it." The gambler can then tell that the card he throws down, which has been taken from the main body, is the one he in his mind had previously selected ; and thus he continues until all are thrown upon the table. After he has been told by each that there is one among the ones exposed, he will proffer a bet that he can tell which. He can; and if all should happen to think of the same, it makes it the more easy for him to recollect, and in that case only one parcel will be exposed. He then puts them into the pack and shuffles them thoroughly, and will tell you to draw any card you please, and lay it on the top, and he will make it the one yon thought of. You do so; and supposing you to have first thought of a ten of clubs, and in drawing you draw the ace of diamonds, he tells you to lay it upon the top. You do it. He then remarks that the card upon the top is the card. You feel confident he is mistaken, as you thought of the ten of clubs; the one on top is the ace of diamonds; but don't bet, for in the twinkling of an eye he puts the ten upon the top, and removes the ace to the centre of the pack. The change being effected, he may even pass the cards to you, that you may be more certain that you cannot be deceived. You make your bet, and when it is too late discover that you have been imposed upon. He pockets your cash, and laughs at your ignorance and simplicity. From this any one can understand this trick, as well as learn to what an extent villains will tax their ingenuity to plan out and practise such despicable cheats for the purpose of swindling those who do not understand them.

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